- Business overview
- Event Overview
- Training content
- Voices of SD Seminar Graduates
- Application
- Contact Information
Business overview
The environment surrounding universities is changing rapidly, with a further decline in the 18-year-old population, the arrival of the 100-year life era, Society 5.0 brought about by the advancement of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the progress of globalization. University staff are required to have the ability to steer with a clear vision for the future, accurately analyze environmental changes and societal needs, reflect them in organizational decision-making, and lead to the realization of their social mission of education, research, and social contribution.
This SD seminar primarily targets young and mid-career staff, aiming to cultivate the next generation of talent that will lead each university. The key difference from SD programs conducted at individual universities is that it is a place of “cross-border learning” where individuals of similar ages from national, public, and private universities and junior colleges gather and engage in friendly competition over a long period of several months, generating strong interaction. Furthermore, the program includes public presentations and a final report, ensuring that participants don’t simply “do things” or “listen” without
contributing. Instead, they are required to develop concrete policy recommendations (such as suggestions for improving work processes or proposing new projects), and several support mechanisms are in place to facilitate this process, which sets it apart from other similar programs. Graduates have shared feedback on concrete results and behavioral changes, such as “I was able to build a lifelong network with staff from other universities,” “I was able to relearn the fundamentals of higher education,” “I became able to collect and summarize information and make recommendations based on facts and logic,” and “I developed an interest in higher education in general and started reading various reports and industry publications.”
It may only be a few months, but those few months can make a big difference. We hope you will take on this challenge as a step towards self-improvement, developing your skills, and enriching your one and only career as a university staff member.
Event Overview
| venue | Campus Plaza Kyoto |
| Capacity | 16 people (Selection will be based on application forms) |
| subject | Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: ① Have at least three years of work experience as a university staff member at the start of the SD Seminar. ② Have prior work experience, etc., and their affiliated university has determined that they meet the participation requirements of ① above. *A letter of recommendation will be required separately. |
| Participation fee | For students of universities and junior colleges affiliated with the Kyoto University Consortium: 20,000 yen For all others: 60,000 yen *Please note that once tuition fees have been paid, refunds will not be provided. |
| Application deadline | Must arrive by Friday, April 24, 2026 |
Organized by: University Consortium Kyoto
Training content
| Date and time | Theme and Instructor | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Saturday, May 30th 13:00-14:30 |
Orientation , SD Seminar Participation Information (Administrative Notice) , and Guidelines for Attending the SD Seminar (Messages from Graduates) |
| 14:50-17:30 | The Fundamentals of Academic Writing – How to Transform a “Problem Awareness” into a Specific “Question”? – Instructor: Takashi Sakamoto (Associate Professor, Department of General Education, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University) |
|
| 2nd time | Saturday, June 6th 13:50-17:00 |
University Systems, Laws, and Organizations – Understanding University Education-Related Systems, Laws, and Organizations for High-Quality Work – Lecturer: Tsunetaka Miyabayashi (Director of Academic Affairs Division, Tokyo Metropolitan University (concurrently Director of Establishment Preparation Division)) |
| 3rd | Saturday, June 13th 13:50-17:00 |
Academic Literacy and Policy Recommendation Reports : Understanding Academic Literacy and Starting Research – Lecturer: Takamichi Murayama (Associate Professor, Department of Practical Society, Faculty of Integrated Social Sciences, Kyoto Bunkyo University) |
| 4th | Saturday, June 20th 13:50-17:00 |
Universities and Higher Education Policy – Viewing Universities from the Perspective of Higher Education Policy – Lecturer: Hirofumi Matsuzaka (Councillor, Agency for Cultural Affairs) |
| 5th | Saturday, June 27th 13:50-17:00 |
University-High School Collaboration and High School-University Connection : High School-University Connection from the Perspective of High School Education, the Final Stage of Primary and Secondary Education – Lecturer: Katsumi Arase (President, Japan Institute for School Teachers and Staff Development) |
| 6th | Saturday, July 4th 13:50-17:00 |
Universities and Society: The Meaning of Regional Collaboration and the Role of Universities – Lecturer: Masamine Fukao (Professor, Faculty of Policy Studies, Ryukoku University) |
| 7th | Saturday, July 11th 13:50-17:00 |
Educational Management for Quality Assurance in University Education : Discussions and Advice for Promoting Educational Management at Your Own University – Lecturer: Takeo Nishino (Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business Administration, Kyoto Tachibana University, Educational Development and Learning Support Office) |
| 8th | Saturday, July 18th 13:50-17:00 |
University Strategy and Leadership: Shaping the Future of Universities and Society Through Strategy and Transformation – Lecturer: Hiromichi Yoshitake (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tokyo Kasei Gakuin Educational Foundation, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tsukuba) |
| 9th | Saturday, July 25th 13:50-17:00 |
Branding and Student Recruitment: How to Proceed with University Branding – Lecturer: Kenji Kamijo (Professor, Department of Regional Business, Faculty of Management, Aichi Toho University) |
| Debriefing session | Saturday, September 12th 13:00-18:00 |
Public presentation |
| training | Saturday, September 19th 13:50-17:00 |
Public Presentation Follow-up Training Instructor: Junichi Honda (Kyoto Tachibana Gakuen Educational Foundation (Administrative Director, Tachibana Oji Children’s Garden)) |
* The instructors’ affiliations and positions are as of March 2026.
* The above schedule and program are subject to change.
* The end time of the public presentation will vary depending on the number of participants.
2026 SD Seminar Application Guidelines [Click here for details]
Voices of SD Seminar Graduates
This information is published in Kyomachiya News and the SD Guidebook (2025-2026 edition).
Kyomachiya News: Graduate Testimonials ①
SD Guidebook (2025-2026 edition): Graduate Testimonials ②③
Application
There are two ways to register for the course, as described below. Please check the notes regarding each registration method.
- Institutional application: Apply through your affiliated university or junior college.
- Individual application: Application by an individual
[How to apply]
| Institutional application | Individual application | |
|---|---|---|
| [STEP 1] Application |
Please fill out the required information on the “Application Form” and submit it via email attachment through your university or other affiliated institution.
Note: When compiling applications at your university or other institution, please set an internal deadline for collection so that the applications are received by the application deadline below. |
Please fill out the required information on the “Application Form” and submit it as an email attachment.
Note: Before applying, please check whether your affiliated university accepts institutional applications. |
| Please download the “Application Form” from the link below and submit it via email attachment. | ||
| Application address: sd■consortium.or.jp (Please replace ■ with @ when sending the email.) Subject line of email: [2026 SD Seminar Application] (Affiliation, name, etc.) |
||
| Application deadline: April 24, 2026 (Friday) (must arrive by this date) | ||
| [STEP 2] Selection |
We will conduct a document screening based on your application form. | |
| [STEP 3] Notification of acceptance or rejection |
You will be notified by email through your university or other relevant institution around mid-May . | We will send an email notification to the individual around mid-May. |
| [STEP 4] Sending of relevant documents |
After receiving notification of your acceptance to the course, we will send you the following documents: • Course information • Invoice for course fees • Syllabus |
|
| [STEP 5] Payment of course fee |
Please transfer the funds to the designated account of our foundation by the specified deadline. | |
[Application Form]
Please download the application form and send it as an email attachment to sd■consortium.or.jp. (Please replace ■ with @ when sending the email.)
2026 SD Seminar Application Form [Click here for details]
Application form submission and contact information
University Consortium Kyoto, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Educational Development Division (SD Project)
e-mail: sd■consortium.or.jp (Please replace ■ with @ when sending)
600-8216, Kyoto City, Shimogyo Ward, Nishinotoin-dori Shio-koji, Campus Plaza Kyoto
TEL: 075-353-9163 FAX: 075-353-9101
*Office hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 17:00 (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)
